Used gear prices and the state of the hobby.


I am always on the look-out for quality used gear, especially CD/SACD players.

It seems that lately (especially), I am seeing a lot of used gear come up at (what I consider to be) ridiculous prices. I've gone through enough CD players that I sort of know what they can be had for.

I am fully aware that the market will drive pricing, but some of these prices are insane.

Asking 75% of MSRP for a player that's more than 10 years old isn't going to happen, at least in my world.

I see the same ads come up, over and over, which tells me that these things aren't selling. In some cases, the asking prices are absolutely ridiculous.

Maybe the dealers/whomever are underwater on their product, but in case anyone hasn't noticed, the economy is starting to dive.

I'm not ranting, just stating that perhaps your stuff isn't selling because you're overpriced (in some cases by several hundreds to thousands of dollars!).

Other no-no's as far as I'm concerned:

No remote. Buy one THEN put the unit up for sale. In most cases, I will not consider a piece of equipment without an original (and in good condition) remote control.

"Rare". Sure it is. If it's so rare, well, that makes me wonder WHY it's so rare, now doesn't it?

"Giant Killer". Un-huh. Sure.

"Mostly Working". Well, get it repaired, and make it "totally working". THEN offer it for sale.

I view used gear like cars. When you drive it off the lot, well, you just lost 10% of the value. And it's all downhill from there.

I just wonder if anyone else had noticed this, or if I am just turning into an old man yelling at clouds?

If it's not a buyer's market at the moment, it will be shortly.

 

 

 

 

128x128coralkong

Online selling has turned every seller into a marketing firm from real estate. They are no longer just selling their product but “selling” their items. Like everyone there is a give me a price I can’t refuse. They are not serious sellers as in getting ride of equipment that they no longer use. Then we also have the hoarders who are being hounded by a wife so they agree to sell some but only at their price. Look at antique collectors a piece of junk that is 100 years old is not an antique of collectible it is just a 100 year old piece of junk.

@nonoise 6moons had a piece on a Chinese vase valued at €1,500 to €2,000 and it ultimately went for €9,000,000 on Sotheby's. 300 idiots got into a bidding war and the rest, they say, is history. 

One can't account for taste, or temperment.

Without knowing more, I'd humbly suggest that perhaps 6moons did not have sufficient information, and perhaps some of the bidders had superior information.

Or not - the other way around?

There is a great deal of economic theory devoted to the study of asymmetric information. 
If interested, you may enjoy reading about this and why a Nobel prize was awarded to some dudes who researched the market for lemons.

@noske ,

Asymmetric information...

Sounds like what's behind a lot of societies woes. As for economics, I'd venture to say that a lot of information is intentionally left out to come to the conclusions desired by those with an agenda unrelated to economics.

All the best,
Nonoise

blah blah blah blah

boring...

note: this hobby is supposed to bring us joy -- if you need to spend a lot of time complaining, feeling bitter, you're doing it wrong!

@nonoise  Asymmetric information...

Sounds like what's behind a lot of societies woes. 

I am in disagreement with you - this has been a feature of civilization and human interaction since time dot and without this there would be just dust like the dark side of the moon.

As for any agenda, well, that also is economics, known as game theory.  For beginners, watch the movie A Beautiful Mind.